Cost Analyst

Cost Analyst

Salary: $75,000 - $90,000

Location: Houston, TX 77029

Industry: Power Generation, Energy Infrastructure & Industrial Services

Position Summary

A growing organization in the power generation and industrial services industry is seeking a highly analytical Cost Analyst to join its finance team. This role will be responsible for monitoring project costs, analyzing financial performance, supporting budgeting and forecasting efforts, and providing critical insights to improve profitability and operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, experience working with project-based costing, and the ability to partner with operations, accounting, and leadership teams to drive informed business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze project costs, labor expenses, materials, and overhead to ensure accurate cost tracking and reporting.
• Monitor project budgets and compare actual costs against estimates and forecasts.
• Prepare and maintain cost reports, profitability analyses, and key performance metrics.
• Identify cost variances and provide recommendations to improve margins and operational efficiency.
• Partner with project managers and operational leaders to review project performance and financial results.
• Assist with monthly financial reporting, accruals, and cost-related journal entries.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes.
• Develop and maintain cost models to support strategic decision-making.
• Analyze inventory, purchasing, and vendor-related costs.
• Assist with project accounting and job costing activities.
• Create ad hoc financial analyses and reporting for management.
• Support process improvement initiatives and help strengthen financial controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business, or a related field.
• 3 years of experience in cost accounting, cost analysis, financial analysis, project accounting, or related finance functions.
• Strong understanding of cost accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Experience working within project-based, manufacturing, industrial, construction, energy, or service environments preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, INDEX/MATCH, and financial modeling.
• Experience with ERP systems and reporting tools.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to interpret large amounts of data and present meaningful insights.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.